GLOBAL HEALTH

ISSUES INCLUDING
HIV/AIDS
INTRODUCTION
• • HIV continues to be a major global public health issue, having claimed
40.1 million [33.6–48.6 million] lives so far.
• • In 2021, 650 000 [510 000–860 000] people died from HIV-related
causes, and 1.5 million [1.1–2.0 million] people acquired HIV.
• • There were an estimated 38.4 million [33.9–43.8 million] people living
with HIV at the end of 2021, two thirds of whom (25.6 million) are in
the WHO African Region.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HIV
AND AIDS?
• - AIDS (Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) is the late stage of HIV
(human immunodeficiency virus) infection that occurs when the body's
immune system is badly damaged because of the virus. In the U.S., most
people with HIV do not develop AIDS because taking HIV medicine as
prescribed stops the progression of the disease.
  

HOW IS HIV TRANSMITTED?

If someone with HIV has a detectable viral load, they can pass on HIV through
the following body fluids:

• Blood
• Semen (including pre-cum)
• Vaginal fluid
• Anal mucus
• Breast milk.
HIV CANNOT BE PASSED ON BY:

•Kissing
• Hugging
• Shaking hands
• Sharing space with someone

• Sharing a toilet
• Sharing household items such as cups, plates, cutlery, or bed linen
Any other general social contact.
  
IF LEFT UNTREATED, HIV INFECTION GOES THROUGH THE FOLLOWING STAGES:

1. Seroconversion illness

Some people experience a short illness soon after they contract HIV. This is known as seroconversion illness or
primary or acute HIV infection.

In some people, seroconversion illness is so mild that it passes without being noticed. Some people mistake it for the
flu, but for others it’s more severe and they may need to see a doctor.

Seroconversion is the period when someone with HIV is at their most infectious.

2. The asymptomatic stage of HIV

Once seroconversion is over, most people feel fine and don’t experience any symptoms. This is often called the
asymptomatic stage and it can last for several years.

Though you might feel well at this stage, the virus is active, infecting new cells, making copies of itself, and
damaging your immune system’s ability to fight illness.
3. Symptomatic HIV

The longer you live with HIV without treatment, the greater your risk of developing infections that
your weakened immune system can’t fight: certain cancers, as well as the direct effects of HIV.

 Getting ill in one of these ways means that you now have symptomatic HIV.

4. Late-stage HIV

If HIV has a chance to cause a lot of damage to your immune system, you may become ill from
certain serious opportunistic infections and cancers. These illnesses are also known as AIDS-defining.
 

AIDS-DEFINING ILLNESSES:

• Cancer
• Tuberculosis (TB)
• Pneumonia

If diagnosed promptly and go on to treatment straightaway, most people living with HIV
never experience late-stage HIV. Staying healthy is key to living well with HIV, including
exercising regularly, sleeping well and eating well, stopping smoking, and looking after
your mental well-being.